Shared Facilities

Confocal Microscope 

NCCS Research procured a new Zeiss LSM900 confocal microscope to overcome some limitations of traditional wide-field fluorescence microscopes. This equipment is used in various biological science disciplines, from cell biology and genetics to microbiology and development biology. It is particularly useful for imaging (3-D), qualitative analysis and quantification of cells. This confocal microscope is part of NCCS Research central resource.

Dark Room 

The Dark Room facility is equipped with a tabletop film processor - the Protec COMPACT 2. It is ideal for quality low to medium volume output image processing. The equipment can process wet films and produce superb images in a short time. Newer digital machines are not able to match the image quality of the COMPACT 2 and setting adjustments for the images also take a significantly longer time, which is why the Protec COMPACT 2 is the preferred choice for most of NCCS’ labs.

Flow Cytometry 

The Flow Cytometry facility is currently equipped with the FACSCanto II Flow Cytometry system, FACSymphony A3 and FACSDiscover.

The BD FACSCanto II Analytical Flow Cytometer is equipped with 3 lasers (Violet 405nm, Blue 488nm and Red 633nm) and up to 8 color/4-2-2- optics configuration.

Our BD FACSymphony A3 is specially made for NCCS which offers up to 23 parameters across 4 lasers (Violet, Blue, Yellow-Green, and Red laser), enabling the use of new dyes with improved brightness and spillover characteristic. It is a part of the BD FACSymphony family of high-parameter flow cytometers utilizing ultra-quiet VPX electronics, powerful lasers, and highly sensitive photomultiplier tubes (PMT).

The BD FACSDiscover™ S8 Cell Sorter with BD CellView™ Image Technology and BD SpectralFX™ Technology, the first spectral flow cytometer sorter with sort-capable image analysis, expands the power of cell analysis and sorting to new dimensions by combining spectral flow cytometry with real-time spatial and morphological insights. It is equipped with a BSC to allow users to process their sample in a sterile workspace. It features 56 fluorescent detectors across 4 lasers (Violet, Blue, Yellow -Green, and Red laser) with optimised filter bandwidths. This equipment is only available via our staff-assisted service.

Histology Room

The Histology facility will house equipment such as Microtomes and Cryostat for microscopic sectioning of frozen and paraffin embedded material for image analysis.

Lab Support Areas

Each research floor includes a lab support room or area that is equipped with Fume Hoods, High Speed Centrifuges, Bacteria Shakers, and an Ice Maker. This reduces the time required for researchers to access commonly used core equipment.

LCM 

The Laser Capture Microdissection machine is housed within the LCM facility. It provides researchers an additional method for isolating specific cells of interest from microscopic tissues, cells, or organisms.

Liquid Nitrogen Storage and Cold Rooms 

Each research floor includes a room for storage of liquid nitrogen dewars and a Cold Room for storage of 4°C materials.

Microscopy Rooms 

Each research floor includes a microscopy room for basic microscopy work. Researchers may use this room to share and house their unique microscopes between labs.

Sequencing Lab

The Sequencing lab facility will house equipment such as Plate Readers, PCRs, Gel-Doc and ChemiDoc for various image analyses.

Tissue Processing Room 

The Tissue Processing facility will house equipment such as Tissue Processors, used to prepare samples for analysis and Tissue Embedding Stations to embed biological specimens in paraffin wax blocks after fixing.